France: record of newly founded companies

27.01.2009

In 2008 327.396 companies have been founded in France, a growth of 1,8% according to the Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques (INSEE). Since the first of January potential founders of new firms can also benefit from the status of auto-entrepeneur. This new status enables working people, unemployed persons, retired people and students to develop a principal or additional job in a more easy way.

The French minister of Economy, Christine Lagarde, and the State Secretary responsible for the SME’s, Hervé Novelli, are pleased with the large amount of enterprises that have been founded and they think that this process will be accelerated thanks to the new status of auto-entrepeneur.

According to INSEE the establishment of new companies concerns mainly one man companies. They increased with 61% between 2002 and 2008. Firms employing at least one person have grown with 10%.